Not just for kicksChivas-Club América might be the biggest sports rivalry on the continent, and it's here tonight at Robertson Stadium

BERNARDO FALLAS, Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle |
January 3, 2009

Money is no object for Club América, which has gained a reputation for spending freely to field a top-notch team.

Photo By James Nielsen/Chronicle

Chivas’ Héctor Reynoso, left, enjoys a lighthearted practice with coach Efraín Flores and the rest of the team.

Photo By Sharon Steinmann/Chronicle

Money is no object for Club América, which spent freely to add premier forward Salvador Cabanas, left.

Quick: Name the biggest rivalries in North American pro sports.

Yankees-Red Sox? That’s always a sure bet. Lakers-Celtics? Sure, but only recently has it been revived. Patriots-Colts? Too new. Cowboys-Redskins? Maybe, but it has lost some fizzle. Canadiens-Maple Leafs? Blackhawks-Red Wings? Depends on whom you ask.

Here is one you may have missed: Club América-Chivas Guadalajara. You knew that, right? You should.

Mexico’s most popular and successful soccer teams have been going at it for more than 60 years, and tonight they bring the latest installment of their intense rivalry to Robertson Stadium as the nightcap of an InterLiga doubleheader that also includes UANL Tigres (Monterrey) taking on Atlas (Guadalajara) in Group B action.

“These games are different,” Chivas midfielder Edgar Mejía said. “You have to give more than 100 percent.”

The duels transcend the team's home cities, Mexico City for América and Guadalajara for Chivas, and all but paralyze a nation.

"The rivalry, the games are special," said Leoncio Rojo, who along with 10-year-old son Julian joined some 150 fans at the Carl Lewis Complex on Friday night to watch Chivas practice.

Take it from him. Rojo, a Mexico native and Houston resident of 13 years, is neither a Chivas nor Club América fan.

"I root for Toluca" he said, unbuttoning his jacket to reveal his team's colors. "My son is a Chivas fan. What can you do?"

Through 202 meetings, Club América holds an edge with 73 victories to Guadalajara’s 64; the teams have tied 65 times. But it is not like either team is counting.

“These clásicos, wherever they are played, against América you have to win them,” Chivas coach Efraín Flores said.

Just how big are these teams? They combine for 21 league championships, with Chivas holders of 11, the most in Mexico. With Chivas a 102-year-old institution and América a slightly younger 92, the respective fan bases extend generations and are in the tens of millions in Mexico alone. Both are considered the faces of Mexican soccer.

That is where the similarities end. Chivas is also popular because of its long-standing policy of fielding only Mexican players, which plays to the national pride of many. “The people’s team,” is the main feeder of talent for the national team.

Club América prides itself on spending lavishly and inking international players, most of them from South America. They are considered the league’s richest club, the Yankees of Mexican soccer.

With globalization, immigration and the growth of soccer in the United States, what was once a sporting event exclusive to Mexico is now an international affair. América-Chivas duels routinely set ratings records this side of the Rio Grande despite being broadcast in Spanish-language television only.

Tonight’s doubleheader is a virtual sellout, with only a few tickets available only as of Friday. Organizers are asking people to show up early.

“It’s great that, despite the (economic) crisis, the stadium will be full,” Flores said. “We will go everything we can to give the fan their money’s worth.”

The match has generated incredible buzz in Mexico, something unusual for an InterLiga match.

In its sixth edition, InterLiga remains a controversial competition. Teams and players have complained about its timing in preseason. The media has attacked it as a glorified exhibition tournament whose sole reason for existing is the economic incentive.

But the fact is InterLiga determines two of the three teams that will represent Mexico later this year at the prestigious Copa Libertadores, one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world and South America’s championship.

Besides Chivas and Club América, last year's winner, Atlas and UAG Tecos, Monarcas (Morelia), Tigres, Pachuca and Toluca make up this year's eight-team field. The tournament runs through Jan. 11, with the winners of a finals doubleheader at Carson, Calif., garnering berths to Libertadores.

InterLiga kicked off Friday night in Frisco with a Group A doubleheader. Houston also will host a Group A doubleheader Monday before InterLiga moves back to Frisco and on to Carson.

While missing the spice and pageantry of a regular-season or playoff match, the clásico is garnering attention for another reason: Both teams, but especially América, are coming off forgettable seasons and looking for atonement with their fans.

"InterLiga is key for us," América president Michel Bauer said. "A berth in Libertadores is a goal that we have."

So does Chivas.

"We want to start off the year on the right foot," Mejia said. "It's fundamental."